By Karlie Mickanuik
Due to COVID-19 the government is suggesting people go into self isolation to stop the spread of the virus. Here are five apps to help pass the time while you hang out by yourself.
Freeletics – Personal Trainer
Now is a better time than ever to work on some self improvement. Use this time to get a little work out in. This app helps you train at home and reach your personalized fitness goals whether it’s losing weight, gaining muscle or simply wanting to be more active in your everyday life. You do not need any gym equipment to use this app and it has free workout videos to follow.
One of the best options this app offers is to engage in a community of other users. You can support others to continue to reach their goals and ask for support for yourself. Happy sweating!
BitLife
What better way to spend your time in self isolation than to live vicariously through a fictional character. Bitlife is like Sims where your character starts as a child, grows up, and can do whatever they want but offers the story in text rather than graphics. Your character can commit crimes with no real consequences, sleep with as many people as you would like, or you can try to make as much money as you can before you pass away.
This life simulation app is also super re-playable as you can easily start a new life whenever you want.
Viridi
If you did not manage to stop by a plant nursery before going into self isolation, or if your thumb is not the greenest, try Viridi. This app lets you nurture a pot of baby succulents that grow in real time. You can name your plants, as any plant parent should, water and even sing to them.
There’s also a little snail, that is super cute, that watches over your plants for you when you are gone. You do not have to check this app super often as this simulation is not completely realistic and is more forgiving than many live plants.
Your plants can still die from over or under watering so make sure you check in on them every once in a while.
TuneIn Radio
Listening to the same playlist every day can get old. This free app lets you find radio stations that are popular in your area or easily explore stations you have never heard. This is a great app to find some new music to add to your personal playlist.
Sports talk stations are also available on this app, so when the world of sports is eventually reborn remember this app and listen to your favourite game on the go. You can also listen to podcasts on this app. While in self isolation, it’s easy to feel lonely so throw on a new podcast to engage your mind for a while.
Duolingo
Being stuck in your home for a while is a great chance to learn a new skill. Why not learn a new language?
This app is super easy to use, and starts at a manageable difficulty depending on your skill level with the language you chose. This app is free and lessons are not blocked off by a pay wall either. There are over 30 languages to learn including Latin, Gaelic and, for any Game of Thrones fans, you can even learn High Valyrian on Duolingo. The app keeps track of how many days in a row you practiced a language and rewards you for hitting certain milestones if you are in need of a motivation boost.
Check in every day for a quick lesson to get a sense of self-gratification.
Honourable mention: Netflix Party
This Google Chrome extension deserves a spot on this list even though it is not an app.
This extension allows you to sync up your video playback for Netflix with your friends and adds a group chat function. You can still have Netflix gatherings while protecting yourself and others from COVID-19.
